Colombia president's son indicted. Nicolas Petro blamed US sanctions for his absence from court
Nicolas Petro arriving at the Supreme Court of Justice of Colombia in September 2024. Credit: Jesus RICO / AFP / Profimedia
The eldest son of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Nicolas, was indicted on Monday on six counts related to alleged acts of corruption during his time as a parliamentarian, reports AFP.
In 2023, Nicolas Petro was arrested in Colombia for money laundering and illicit enrichment, accused of receiving money from a former drug trafficker during his father's 2022 presidential campaign. The president's son was released on parole pending trial.
Now he faces new charges, including embezzlement and forgery related to a state contract.
The file is about a public contract aimed at supporting elderly people and children with disabilities. Prosecutors allege the funds were embezzled.
The original allegation was launched by Nicolas Petro's ex-wife, Daysuris Vasquez, who denounced him after accusing him of having an extramarital affair.
Vasquez claimed that Petro junior received cash from Samuel Santander Lopesierra, convicted of drug trafficking in the United States.
The Colombian president's son admitted receiving the money but claimed it was not used in the campaign. Nicolas Petro insisted that his father was not aware of his affairs.
Nicolas Petro was not at Monday's appearance. His lawyer claims he has no money to buy plane tickets because of US sanctions.
US, sanctions against the Colombian president and his family
The Trump administration has accused President Gustavo Petro of drug trafficking, imposing financial sanctions against both him and his family, including Nicolas.
“Since President Gustavo Petro came to power, cocaine production in Colombia has exploded to the highest levels in decades, flooding the United States and poisoning Americans,” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an Oct. 24 statement.
“President Petro allowed drug cartels to thrive and refused to stop this activity. Today, President Trump is taking strong action to protect our nation and make it clear that we will not tolerate drug trafficking in our country,” the US official added.
